Q: What steps should be taken to clean and inspect the differential case components and associated parts for damage and wear on 2009 Cadillac XLR?
A: Clean the differential case components in solvent and look out for cracks, damage, damaged bolt hole threads for the bolt holes, abnormal wear, scoring, or grooves in the clutch pack region, and scored or damaged case side mounted bearing flange. Clean the gears and shafts with solvent, which subsequently inspects the gears for chips, cracks, pits, heat taint, unusual wear, excessive wear or scoring in side gear pin bores, wear, groove or scoring of side gear pin, rule or worn side gear washers, unusual wear or groove in output gear splines and ring gear threaded bolt holes, damage to ring gear vehicle speed sensor reluctor ring lobes. Check the shafts' unusual wear, grooved, worn, or defects, and defective C-clip grooves. Clean the discs and plates with solvent and check them for any unusual friction wear, any scoring on the separator plate friction surfaces, friction plates with uneven wear or friction material worn, and if any plates or disks of the left or right pack shows any wear or scoring, replace the whole pack on both sides. Bent or warp plates or discs check sideways set those down and look for warpage and then check for a worn score or collapse of bellville washer. Examine the bearing rollers and cups for pitting, scoring, grooves, high wear, or other damage, and there for heat discoloring which vary from pale yellow to blue-black that can show overload or incorrect lubrication; bearings or cups, which have heat discoloring, must be replaced. As well, check for bent or burnt out bearing cages.